Cynthia's Fritillary vs Emperor Swallowtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cynthia's Fritillary Emperor Swallowtail
Scientific Name Euphydryas cynthia Papilio ophidicephalus
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae Papilionidae
Size 34-42 mm wingspan 100-130 mm wingspan
Habitat Mountains Beaches & Coastal
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Alps, Bulgaria Southern Africa, East Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Cynthia's Fritillary

A striking black-and-white checkered fritillary with orange markings. Males and females differ dramatically in coloration.

💡

Did You Know?

Males are mostly black and white while females are predominantly orange and black.

Emperor Swallowtail

South Africa's largest butterfly with bold black and yellow-green markings. Its caterpillar mimics a bird dropping in early instars.

💡

Did You Know?

The caterpillar's head bears false eyespots that make it resemble a small snake to deter predators.